anyone into cycling / MTBing? - show us your bikes.

Hi m8

I would suggest looking on the classified sections of some of the bike forums

bikemagic and singletrackworld are a good starting point.

A good hard tail will last years and encourage you to improve your riding technique instead of just rolling over anything in your path on a full bouncer.

I would suggest anything by the major players

specialized
kona
gary fisher
marin
trek

are all big league players who build a decent value package using a mix of their own parts as well as bits built by other marques.

Something like a spesh rockhopper would be more than adequate for starting.

At the end of the summer, the retailers start to get their new ranges in, so the 07 bikes will be sold off

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep researching and let you know how I get on :)
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll keep researching and let you know how I get on :)


Also worth looking at the Merlin / Rock Lobster Range at http://merlincycles.co.uk/ as they offer some very well respected bikes at very good prices, and you get the option of choosing which parts you want on your bike (They are hand built to order). If you want something that is not an option, ring them and they will price it for you. :thumbs:
 
I have got my bike back from the shop, after they cocked up, again!

I haven't been off it yet! Did 17miles yesterday, and 5 today, need a rest :o

Not done it in far to long hehe! I have upgraded my pedals to SPD's and have some Shimmy shoes, the difference is quite amazing I have to say :D
 
I was going to go out on the bike today... but i thought i'd quickly install Vista on my media box as it seriously needed a rebuild. Anyway, that took a LONG time and i never did get out :( I guess i might have to brave the weather in the morning :D
 
I went out today and it was a bit muddy - see pics below
BTW Matt - In warm weather I recommend you wear shorts, even if it is wet. Only wear trousers in cold conditions. Today I got covered in mud but would rather that than suffer in the heat with the wrong clothes.

Cannock-July-01_small.jpg


Cannock-July-02_small.jpg
 
Second the Shorts suggestion - mine are year-round attire. Come rain, shine, hail, snow, and anything else it can throw at me.

If you get long trousers wet, it will suck the heat out of your legs and you can end up with cramps - not nice!
 
holy thread revival!


ordered one of these this morning, hopefully should arrive tomorrow

scott-aspect-45-2009-mountain-bike-.jpg



got it at a heafty discount (1/3rd off) through work.

looking forwards to getting out on it :D
 
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me in cornwall on my bike few years ago.

not sure if i got any pics of my bike on the PC
 
Got a Beaut. Gary Fisher Sugar Mk1 in red, think I may sell as I'm getting on a bit, need something more sober. It Flies
 
I've got a Viking Firenza (road bike) and a Scott Aspect 45 (MTB) the only upgraded bits I've got are SPD pedals on both of them.

No pics of them on the comp at the moment, I'll have to sort that out!
 
I've got a Viking Firenza (road bike) and a Scott Aspect 45 (MTB) the only upgraded bits I've got are SPD pedals on both of them.

what did you think of the forks fitted to the aspect 45 - suntour xcr? i have the same bike and i found both the feel of the forks and the manufacturers materials (the coating started to rub off the sliders from the first ride) and scott didnt even bother to reply to my emails about it.

i ended up replacing the forks with some rockshox toras which completely transformed the bike. im pleased with the rest of the bike though
 
Here is my much loved Merlin Mountain circa 1993, still the nicest bike I have ever owned
and used frequently
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Tijuana taxi, that is one awesome looking bike. A bit retro in the geometry, which is right up my street :)

My Specialized is in pieces in the shed waiting for some TLC to get it back up and running but here's a stock shot:



Great bike for £500 back in 2005 but it hardly gets used these days :(
 
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Thanks for the kind words specialman, the forks are a little bit higher than they should be, but essentially the same geometry as it was new
Even though its now classed as retro, it still rides superbly and the one bike i would never sell


You can't go wrong with Specialized, why not make the effort and get it going again, probably forgot just how much fun it can be.
Strange how biking and photography seem to go so well together too
 
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Excuse the terrible quality.

Frame: Static Plan B
Forks: Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 3
Brakes: Avid Juicy 5
Wheels: Sun MTX - 24"
Tyres: Maxxis Something or other
Cranks/Peddles: Gusset
Seat/bar/stem: Deity

Absolutely beautiful small hardtail to ride. It has the feel and control of a smaller bike, yet when at speed or in the air it has the stability of a 26" counterpart.
Haven't ridden it in anger in over a year now. What a shame. This was my previous hobby and thankfully due to the lack of rear shock and gears and only a single crown fork, it didn't cost half as much as some of the ones on here.
 
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TT, the geometry on your bike reminds me of a Pace that my bro had years ago - loved that bike to bits when I had a go because it was so light. I actually prefer the 'old' design of MTBs rather than the really angled crossbar you get on downhill-style bikes like mine.

Can remember a Raleigh Yukon I used to have - at the time it was the bomb; think it had Deore XT and a Reynolds 501 frame, which made it the envy of all my mates on their Emmelles with SIS gearing :)

I should get my bike going really. I haven't done downhill and XC stuff for years, mainly doing the odd circuit or two of Draycote Water to get fit every time I give up smoking.

My bro goes to Chamonix and ADH every year and loves it, although he's got the bike to do it, a Stumpjumper FS. I'm not ready for hammering down an Alp in the Megaavalanche but the odd razz round the woods does have its appeal. Might try and get some time in this winter when the fishing gets rubbish :)
 
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what did you think of the forks fitted to the aspect 45 - suntour xcr? i have the same bike and i found both the feel of the forks and the manufacturers materials (the coating started to rub off the sliders from the first ride) and scott didnt even bother to reply to my emails about it.

i ended up replacing the forks with some rockshox toras which completely transformed the bike. im pleased with the rest of the bike though

TBH I've only recently taken up cycling and the Aspect hasn't been out in anger yet (rugby season just started and I'm in training to cycle London to Paris next year) from the little I have used it they seem OK for a budget MTB but I'm sure I'll want to upgrade at some point!
 
You have all seen mine in another thread but for the ones that havent seen it....

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Kinesis frame?

Shimano Deore groupset

Wheels are as standard as standard can be but with Deore hubs and s/s spokes

Braking is by the lovely Juicy

The rest is Richey comp stuff

And its VERY light
 
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